Grants programs
SPIRA awards three grants each year. Their purpose is to support independent filmmakers who are members of the cooperative in Quebec at one of the stages of their filmmaking project. Grants are awarded in accordance with SPIRA's mission and equity policy. In addition to one woman, at least one artist from an equity-seeking group will receive a grant. SPIRA reserves the right not to award a grant if the applications received do not meet the criteria established in the equity policy.
Equity-seeking groups are part of the following communities:
- Diverse cultures;
- Deaf or disabled persons;
- Official minority language communities;
- Indigenous peoples;
- LGBTQ2+
The grant offered to a female director is named after LISE BONENFANT, in honor of this filmmaker, a pioneer of Vidéo Femmes, who got her start there and who is committed to the sustainability of local cinema.
Selection Committee
Submitted projects are reviewed by a committee of professionals and peers composed of three individuals (one member of the Spira team and two members of Spira). This selection is submitted to Spira's board of directors and is final and binding. Spira will not accept any solicitation or intimidation related to a rejection. The jury's comments and recommendations, which are intended to improve the project, may be forwarded to the artist if they request them from Spira.
The members of the selection committee are subject to Spira's code of ethics, respect the confidentiality of projects, and act in good faith in the professional exercise of their duties.
The following criteria guide the selection committee in its analysis:
- The relevance of the project to the artist's approach and SPIRA's mandate
- The clarity and originality of the proposal from the author's point of view
- The artist's professional background and ability to carry out the project
- The impact on the artist's career
Grant's details
Each grant includes :
- A stipend of $1,500 for the grant recipient
- A lump sum of $500 for support meetings with an advisor chosen by the artist. The grand recipient may choose the type of support based on the specific needs or their project : scriptwriting, pre-production, production or post-production. The selected person and the terms of the meetings must be approved by SPIRA
- Access to a workspace at SPIRA's premises for a maximum of 14 days
- Free equipment rental*
- Free post-production suite rental*
- Administrative support for 1 to 3 hours. This service allows the Spira team to advise the artist on certain aspects of project management.
A public presentation by the artist of their work carried out with the grant, organized by Spira, including an additional fee for the presentation
*Subject to availability.
All other project-related expenses, such as production, accommodation, and living expenses, are the responsibility of the artist.
Required profile
This grant is intended for filmmakers, whether emerging, mid-career, or established, who have a recognized artistic practice. Applicants must have completed at least one screenwriting or directing project that has been distributed in a professional context.
Eligible projects
The purpose of the grant is to enable artists to devote time to one or more stages of their film project. The submitted project must be carried out between April 1 and December 31 of each year. Support may be requested for the research, development, pre-production, production, or post-production stages. Only independent projects over which the artist has full editorial and creative control are eligible for Spira support. All forms of film writing (documentary, fiction, experimental, short, medium-length, or feature-length films, etc.) are accepted.
Specifications
- This program does not offer the support of a production company (administrative management of co-production, Sodec filing, etc.) but encourages independent creation.
- Projects created for promotional, corporate, academic, educational, or journalistic purposes, as well as music videos, are not eligible.
- An artist may not benefit from this program more than once every three years.
Deadline: March 15 at 11:59 p.m. each year.
To submit an application, please complete the online form.
You can add your supporting documents in PDF format directly to the form.
Your application must include
- A detailed description of the project (2 pages max; clearly state your reasons for submitting your project, its content, your support needs, and the impact it will have on your artistic approach and professional career)
- Artistic approach (250 words)
- Short biography (200 words)
- Curriculum vitae (3 pages max)
- Work schedule (1 page max)
- 1 to 3 Internet links (e.g., Vimeo or YouTube) to your previous productions (3 productions max)
Please feel free to contact Madeleine Aubin, Artistic Director, at